What indicator most strongly suggests a nursing professional may be impaired by a substance abuse problem?

The most telling indicator that a nursing professional may be impaired by substance abuse is the consistent feedback from multiple clients about their pain medication not being effective. This suggests that the nurse may not be administering the medication as prescribed or may be mismanaging the medication supply, potentially due to an underlying issue with substance misuse.

When clients report inadequate pain control, it can indicate that the nurse is either not appropriately recognizing or addressing their needs, or perhaps diverting medications for personal use. This behavior is alarming because it not only affects the quality of care provided to patients but also raises concerns about the nurse's judgment and reliability in a high-stress healthcare environment.

While spending time off the unit or frequently calling off for illnesses may raise suspicions, these alone do not directly tie to substance abuse. Similarly, a preference for weekend shifts might relate to personal time management or lifestyle choices rather than indicate impairment. The feedback from clients, however, directly reflects both the nurse’s impact on patient care and the potential for serious consequences related to substance abuse.